The continued partnership between Openfield Group Limited and the Bristol Port Company secures access for Openfield to export grain from Bristol’s deep-water port using exclusive access to elevation through the Portbury grain terminal until June 2021.
When market conditions permit, Openfield are one of the UKs largest exporters. In 2015 they exported a quarter of the UK’s total grain market, when 750,000 tonnes of grain was exported from Portbury and Avonmouth.
“We are delighted to extend our relationship which allows Openfield exclusive grain elevation access to one of the UKs largest deep-water port facilities. We have the ability to load Panamax vessels, connecting us with global destinations away from traditional EU countries,” said Jonathan Mordaunt, commercial director for the Bristol Port Company.
Openfield’s chief operating officer, Mark Worrell, added: “Openfield’s strategy is to work with our members and connect them with some of the best-known global food and drink brands. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue to offer a link between the Openfield member and the wider international market.”
Tipping times at the facility can be as little as five minutes and it is capable of handling up to 9000 tonnes of grain per day which is equivalent to over 300 trucks. The deal allows Openfield to provide export contracts for farmers based local to the Bristol port and as far away as Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Dorset.